Indie bands in South Korea, Japan, and China have some similarities. First, all of them were influenced by Western Music. Japan and China were affected by some old rock musics in the United States, while Korean bands were influenced by modern artists such as Jason Mraz and Maroon 5. Second, they all enjoy live performances with instruments. Although the kinds are different, all indie bands perform certain instruments for their music. Lastly, indie musics are not part of the popular culture yet. Although some indie bands are famous, they cannot win over other K-pop or J-pop musicians on TV. On the other hand, there are lots of differences. First, Korean bands are acoustic and calm. In the past, most of the Korean indie bands were rock bands. They performed music with a full band and lots of the lyrics were shouting against the society and government. Although there are lots of indie rock bands, trend among the indie scene nowadays is using only few instruments. Lots of Korean indie musicians carry small instruments such as jembe and guitar that they can perform anywhere. Those musicians sit on streets or borrow a small cafe to perform to the audience. Also, the lyrics changed a lot. Nowadays, indie musics have lyrics that many people can agree with. They talk about something daily and normal, but in a humorous and interesting way. In addition, indie bands prefer using Korean words and phrases in their song which sound more beautiful. This is quite important because popular K-pop singers use too much English in their lyrics. Unlike Korean bands, Japanese indie bands are still in the rock-style. They use full band to perform, so these bands cannot sing on streets or in small cafe. They usually have a concert to perform. In addition, some bands get famous in Japan and also around the world by singing some Japanese anime songs. Because Japan has extremely developed animation/manga culture, singing for popular anime is a good opportunity for Japanese indie bands to become famous. Unfortunately, Japanese indie scene is losing its characteristics. Indie band is actually 'Independent band' because the musicians do everything independently without being involved in certain entertainment companies. Nowadays in Japan, all musicians who are not in major music markets are called as "indie" musicians. As a result, lots of the indie bands in Japan are not actually 'independent'. Because of these problems, Japan's indie culture is considered to be falling. Lastly, Chinese indie bands are also rock bands, but much more unique than those of other countries. For example, indie musician Xiao He uses electronic instruments that create unique sounds and beats that cannot be found in other musicians' musics. People in China and the world are interested in Chinese indie bands because of their uniqueness. However, the indie scene is not very developed in China. Only some indie bands are popular that they have a World tour concert. Also, foreigners are more interested in Chinese indie music than the Chinese people do. In addition, Chinese indie musics do not focus much on the lyrics since most of their lyrics are repeated or have no certain meaning. To conclude, Korean indie scene is developing while indie scenes in Japan and China are having some difficulties. However, Japanese and Chinese indie bands are popular in foreign countries such as the Unites Sates. Therefore, indie musicians of all three countries have a great opportunity to develop. Moreover, all indie musics were influenced by the Western music in some parts.
Compare and Contrast
Indie bands in South Korea, Japan, and China have some similarities. First, all of them were influenced by Western Music. Japan and China were affected by some old rock musics in the United States, while Korean bands were influenced by modern artists such as Jason Mraz and Maroon 5. Second, they all enjoy live performances with instruments. Although the kinds are different, all indie bands perform certain instruments for their music. Lastly, indie musics are not part of the popular culture yet. Although some indie bands are famous, they cannot win over other K-pop or J-pop musicians on TV.
On the other hand, there are lots of differences. First, Korean bands are acoustic and calm. In the past, most of the Korean indie bands were rock bands. They performed music with a full band and lots of the lyrics were shouting against the society and government. Although there are lots of indie rock bands, trend among the indie scene nowadays is using only few instruments. Lots of Korean indie musicians carry small instruments such as jembe and guitar that they can perform anywhere. Those musicians sit on streets or borrow a small cafe to perform to the audience. Also, the lyrics changed a lot. Nowadays, indie musics have lyrics that many people can agree with. They talk about something daily and normal, but in a humorous and interesting way. In addition, indie bands prefer using Korean words and phrases in their song which sound more beautiful. This is quite important because popular K-pop singers use too much English in their lyrics.
Unlike Korean bands, Japanese indie bands are still in the rock-style. They use full band to perform, so these bands cannot sing on streets or in small cafe. They usually have a concert to perform. In addition, some bands get famous in Japan and also around the world by singing some Japanese anime songs. Because Japan has extremely developed animation/manga culture, singing for popular anime is a good opportunity for Japanese indie bands to become famous. Unfortunately, Japanese indie scene is losing its characteristics. Indie band is actually 'Independent band' because the musicians do everything independently without being involved in certain entertainment companies. Nowadays in Japan, all musicians who are not in major music markets are called as "indie" musicians. As a result, lots of the indie bands in Japan are not actually 'independent'. Because of these problems, Japan's indie culture is considered to be falling.
Lastly, Chinese indie bands are also rock bands, but much more unique than those of other countries. For example, indie musician Xiao He uses electronic instruments that create unique sounds and beats that cannot be found in other musicians' musics. People in China and the world are interested in Chinese indie bands because of their uniqueness. However, the indie scene is not very developed in China. Only some indie bands are popular that they have a World tour concert. Also, foreigners are more interested in Chinese indie music than the Chinese people do. In addition, Chinese indie musics do not focus much on the lyrics since most of their lyrics are repeated or have no certain meaning.
To conclude, Korean indie scene is developing while indie scenes in Japan and China are having some difficulties. However, Japanese and Chinese indie bands are popular in foreign countries such as the Unites Sates. Therefore, indie musicians of all three countries have a great opportunity to develop. Moreover, all indie musics were influenced by the Western music in some parts.